Spread the Word (9-14-12)

This is the weekly video announcements broadcast for Western High School.

Freshman football team beats Waverly, 20-6

The freshman football team defeated the Waverly Warriors on Thursday night by a score of 20-6.
Austin Cooper had a big night as he threw for over 100 yards including three touchdown passes. Mason Callow was on the receiving end of two of those passes and Noah Clemons caught the other touchdown pass from Cooper.
Defensively the Panthers were able to contain a very talented Waverly team.  Leading the charge were Michael Roush, Austin Marks and Cade Shushock.  The victory was finally sealed when Spenser Platte intercepted a pass to thwart the Warriors' final drive.
Western next travels to Leslie next Thursday night.

East Lansing provides tennis team with learning opportunity

The Western Panthers tennis team hosted a very deep and senior-led East Lansing team this afternoon.  East Lansing is atop and undefeated in the CAAC blue division and posted a 7-1 win over the Panthers.  

Caleb Hurt lost at #2 singles in a tough 3 set battle with Josh Clingenpeel 6-4, 4-6, 1-6 and Timmy Mayotte posted the lone victory for Western at #3 singles with a 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (6) win over Grant Williams.  

I was proud of how our guys battled," Coach Doug Blume said. "Many of them took another important step in their development." 

Coach B's Driving School offering Segment One class

Coach B's Driving School is seeking to accommodate students interested in taking Segment One Driver Education between the fall and winter sports seasons. Starting on Nov. 19, the class has a limited number of seats available. Information sheets can be found in Mr. Benner's room.
Segment Two classes are also available through Coach B.

Students urged to take PSAT/NMSQT

The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a program cosponsored by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). It's a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT^®. It also gives you a chance to enter NMSC scholarship programs and gain access to college and career planning tools.

The PSAT/NMSQT measures:

• Critical reading skills
• Math problem-solving skills
• Writing skills

You have developed these skills over many years, both in and out of school. This test doesn't require you to recall specific facts from your classes.
The most common reasons for taking the PSAT/NMSQT are to:

• Receive feedback on your strengths and weaknesses on skills necessary for college study. You can then focus your preparation on those areas that could most benefit from additional study or practice.
• See how your performance on an admissions test might compare with that of others applying to college.
• Enter the competition for scholarships from NMSC (grade 11).
• Help prepare for the SAT. You can become familiar with the kinds of questions and the exact directions you will see on the SAT.
• Receive information from colleges when you check "yes" to Student Search Service.

See Mrs. Callender with a check for $15 made out to Western High to register.  Tests are first come first served!

Western defeats Lumen Christi

The Western varsity soccer team faced undefeated Lumen Christi Wednesday evening and handed the cross-town rival their first loss of the season, 3-1.
Gene Jones and Brennan Joseph scored off of penalty kicks, and Isaiah Orr added a goal as well. Their record now stands at 4-2-2. Their next game is 7 p.m. Saturday, against Jackson High at Mehall Field.

JV volleyball beats Greyhounds

Last  night Western JV volleyball wom their match against Eaton Rapids.  Scores were 18-25, 25-14 and 15-11.  It was an awesome comeback.  
Susie Davenport had six assists. Cassidy Pluta had seven kills and Sierra Griffith had 10 for 10 serving with seven aces.  Great job JV team!

Eaton Rapids defeats volleyball team

Pushing two of three sets into extra points, the varsity volleyball team suffered a tough loss to Eaton Rapids Wednesday night.
The team travels to Battle Creek Lakeview for a tournament on Saturday and will play Charlotte away on Wednesday.
The team overall record is 6-7-2 and 0-2-0 in the conference.

Football workout tee shirts available for purchase

T-shirts purchased by the Quarterback Club for camp are available for purchase.  They are a Paragon brand, Dri-Fit and are priced as follows:

For the design on the front only:

S-XL is $15

2X-3X is $20

For the design on the front AND the John F. Kennedy quote on the back:

S-XL is $17.50

2X-3X is $22.50

If a 4X is necessary the shirt would be a Badger brand and would be $20 single sided and $22.50 double sided

These are not available on-line. Email quantities and sizes to tomdirlam@comcast.net.

Order deadline is Friday, Sept. 21.  Shirts will be available for pick up at the concession stand on Friday, Sept. 28. 

Tennis team beats Mason

Western boys tennis traveled to Mason Tuesday and came away with their second win in the conference, 6-2.  Winners for the Panthers were Landon Hollow, Timmy Mayotte, Eli Reed, Zach Biederman/Jonah Engle, Chester Chan/Josh Marsh, and Sam Dobben/Cecil Burkhart.

Landon Hollow continued to play hard as he improved his overall record for the year to 10-1.

Soccer team wins CAAC opener, 4-0

The below story was originally published on mlive.com.

Parma Western boys soccer team shuts out Eaton Rapids in team's conference opener on Monday

Patrick Nothaft | pnothaft@mlive.com, September 10, 2012 9:03 p.m.

Parma Western's Kalyn Devine recorded the Panther's only first-half goal on an assist from Gene Jones in the team's Capital Areas Activities Conference Gold Division opener.
Teammates Brennan Joseph, Sam Ellis and Lance Roberts added goals in the second half.
Western goalkeeper A.J. Thomson recorded five saves in the shutout.
Eaton Rapids keeper Nathan Warden made five saves.
"In the first half, we did a nice job of moving the ball around, but we were complacent in just moving it around," Western coach Ron Rudland said. "In the second half, their defense started to break down, and we had some good scoring opportunities.
"Sam Ellis had a nice shot from about 23 yards out that went just under the bar and just over the goalie's hand. That was the third goal of the game, and it kind of broke the camel's back," Rudland added.
Western (3-2-2, 1-0 CAAC Gold) will play Jackson Lumen Christi on Wednesday.

Volleyball teams to Volley for Hope Oct. 10

Our Volleyball girls are raising awareness for breast cancer October 10. Please help and support them by buying a “Volley for Hope” T-shirt. If you buy this and wear it to the game you will gain free admission to both JV and Varsity matches. Bring spare change and participate in a raffle to win free prizes. The match will be against Lumen Christi so come and support our girls and raise breast cancer awareness. All proceeds from the evening will be donated to ALLEGIANCE WOMEN’S HEALTH CENTER in Jackson, Mich., to aid in breast cancer awareness in our local area.

Girls golf team beats Eaton Rapids

The Western Girls Golf Team defeated Eaton Rapids last night at Arbor Hills Golf Course: 200 to 225.  Alyssa Joseph led all players with a 46 followed closely by Henley Nowicki's 47.  Alexa Marston posted a 52 and Alex Vann finished off our scoring with a 55.  We play at Lumen Christi on Thursday.

Sept. 12 the first early release day of the year

Wednesday, Sept.12 is the first early release day of the 2013 school year. Students should be looking out for Wednesday schedules and be prepared for the shorter passing time between classes.

JV soccer beats Eaton Rapids

Andrew Hughes and Liam O'Neil combined for a shut-out Monday night at home against the Greyhounds of Eaton Rapids as the JV boys soccer team beat the CAAC opponent, 2-0.
The win came off a weekend of well-played soccer that unfortunately resulted in 0-1 losses to DeWitt and Mason.
In the game against Eaton Rapids, Evan Shaw opened the scoring for the Panthers in the first half off an assist from Brayden Heerlyn. Jacob Ladwig and Dillon Lee each received credit for the second goal as they simultaneously knocked the ball into the back of the net late in the second half. 

Dance guest forms available in front office

Students who plan to bring a guest to the homecoming dance must have a form filled out and turned in to Mr. Niles at least 48 hours prior to the dance, which will be held Sept. 29. Forms can picked up in the main office.  

WHS: your StuCo needs you

Anyone interested in helping with Student Council and Homecoming, please join us Thursday, Sept.13, after school in the cafeteria. 

Place:  Cafeteria

Time:  2:40 p.m.

Reason:  Student Council and Homecoming NEEDS you!

Home needed for mama cat and her kittens

A family of felines was recently abandoned near the home of WHS senior Gabby Mullikin. She'd like to find these kitties a home, so if you or someone you know has room in your heart and at your homeplace, talk to Gabby.

XC teams compete at Harper Creek

The men's cross-country team finished 8th in a tough field at the Harper Creek Optimist Invitational this weekend. Freshman Jacob Inosencio led the Panthers with a 10th place finish and a time of 19:01 and earned a medal. Scoring for the Panthers were juniors Jordan Dack and Ashten Griswold, and freshmen Chase Veydt and Zachary Veneziano.

The women's cross-country team placed 4th overall. The girls were led by junior Mackenzie Kellar, who finished 6th overall with a time of 21:13. Sophomore Sydney Nagy placed 10th with a time of 22:00. Both girls medaled in a highly competitive field. Scoring for the Panthers were juniors Allison Snyder and Libby Buckland, and freshman Lexi Shupbach.

Recruiting for Quiz Bowl team has begun

Students who have a lot of information stuck in their heads, and who have quick thumbs, are encouraged to join the Quiz Bowl team. Those interested should sign-up for it as a one of their Power Play choices or stop by Mr. Anderson's room to sign-up and get more information. All are welcome.

Math Lab to be open after school two days a week

Starting Tuesday, September 11, there will be after school math help for any Pre-algebra, Algebra, Algebra II, or Geometry student from 2:45 to 3:30 p.m.  The Math Lab will be open every Tuesday and Thursday in Mr. Glassel’s room.  There is no need to sign up early.  Just show up if you need extra help. Don't wait to get help after it is too late to recover.

WHS Minnow sinks most spectacularly

A brave crew of teachers set sail on the WHS Minnow at the United Way “Float Your Cardboard Boat” Event on Friday. 

Out of 14 boats entered, the WHS teacher team won a prize for…. “Most Spectacular Sinking”  

Congrats and kudos to the crew: Mr. Messer, Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Sharp, Mrs. Shore, Mrs. Marks and Mr. Glassel, and also to :  Mr. Zeitler and the students who helped build the WHS Minnow!  Go Panthers!

Freshmen: order your spirit shirts now

Freshmen can order spirit shirts now to get them in time for homecoming spirit week and get Replica Jerseys in time for the game. Orders must be placed by Friday, Sept. 14th with Ms. Clark in the art room or on the website.

Volleyballers compete at Cereal City with intensity, team unity

The varsity volleyball team competed in the Cereal City tournament in Battle Creek.  The team came out of pool play with a 3-3 record, splitting with Bronson 25-19, 26-27; losing to BC Lakeview 12-25, 7-25, and defeating Hopkins 25-22, 25-23.  They moved into the silver bracket and were defeated by Marshall 23-25, 22-25.  The team played with intensity all day and worked well as a unit.  Libby Breton led the team going 50 of 53 hitting with 20 kills and a total of 15 blocks solos for the day. Taylor Johnston added 9 kills and Hannah Repasy added 8 kills.  Cheyenne Bolenbaugh was the leading server going 66 of 73 with 11 aces.  The overall record for the day was 3-4.  The season overall record is 6-6-2.  They travel to Charlotte on Wednesday for their next league game.

Key Club meetings to begin this week

The first Key Club meeting of the year will take place Thursday, Sept. 13 at 2:45 p.m. in Mrs. Mayotte’s room, that's Room 205.  Key Club is basically a community service organization that does monthly service projects around the school and surrounding areas.  Anyone is welcome to join.

Sophomore class meeting today

There is a meeting after school today for those interested helping lead the Class of 2015 this year, as an officer or otherwise.It will be held in Mrs. Bogdanski's classroom, which is Room 315.